Curated OER
It's Your Opinion
Everyone has a different opinion about the characters they read about in books. Have your class explore forming an opinion and finding evidence to support it as they read and discuss what they think about a particular character. They...
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Debates on Persuasive Language That Extend Outside of Class
There is no better sight to see than a classroom full of eager young adults, hands raised high, eager to jump into a class discussion. Get your class identifying and discussing rhetorical strategies and then debating long into the night...
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Immigration Debate
The 2010 immigration bill passed in Arizona provides class members with an opportunity to examine various perspectives of the immigration debate by watching news videos, reading interview, editorials, and viewing images. Discussion...
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New York City Delights: The Taxi Cab
You set the rate! Step into the shoes of a taxi driver in New York City, and also pretend to be a person who uses taxis to get around town. The class will conduct collaborative research to learn about the history of taxis. Then, they...
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Internet and Right-to-Privacy Issues
Students explore the role of the Internet in people's daily lives. In this Internet ethics instructional activity, students examine right-to-privacy issues as they research privacy policies on popular websites. Students also discuss...
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Separate is Not Equal
Middle schoolers use political cartoons and editorials to study Brown v. Board of Education. In this Brown v. Board of Education instructional activity, students read the background information on eight cartoons and editorials for a...
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Kids Making News
Fifth graders correspond with one another regarding interesting global topics. They swap interview questions and collaborate in the publishing of an online newspaper. This should be a highly motivating lesson which get kids writing!
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A Nation Of Immigrants
Students research the challenges of immigration from countries around the world. Students view the movie El Norte. They discuss current events related to immigration. They present information on well known Hispanic immigrants and their...
Foreign Policy Research Institute
Democracy Wall
How free are people in the United States, or in the world for that matter? The class reads and compares two articles that discuss levels of freedom enjoyed by different people around the globe. They discuss why some people have more...
Social Media Toolbox
Social Media Messages
What are the elements of a good social media post? The 13th activity in the 16-part Social Media Toolbox incorporates all of the typical components found in a Facebook or Twitter post. Scholars work together to create great posts based...
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Making Points on Election Dilemma
Young scholars define a straight news article, and identify characteristics of an editorial news feature. They read a CNN article that examines the 2000 presidential election, and determine what is factual and what is opinion.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: When Women Toon In
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze political cartoons about women by women. Students then respond to 2 short answer questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Political Dr. Seuss
In this historical events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons by Theodor Geisel. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Free Speech vs. Respect for Religion
In this historical events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about the First Amendment. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Visual Clichés
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons featuring the use of clichés. Students respond to 2 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Canada Toons out as NHL Ices Season
In this current events worksheet, students analyze a political cartoon about the 2004-2005 cancelled National Hockey League season. Students then respond to 4 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Learning to Interpret a Convention
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons about political conventions. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Freedom is not Universal
In this current events instructional activity, students analyze political cartoons that feature caricatures of political leaders that have been challenged. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Fine Tooning a Candidate's Message
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons featuring John Kerry. Students respond to 4 talking point questions.
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Pitfalls of Democratic Elections
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons about democratic elections that go bad. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: A Call to Action
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about about the state of Sudan. Students then respond to 3 short answer questions.
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Cartoons for the Classroom: Explaining Social Security with a Metaphor
In this current events learning exercise, students analyze a political cartoon about Social Security. Students then respond to 4 short answer questions.
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Cartoons in the Classroom: Cartoon Analysis Worksheet
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons of their choosing and respond to 12 analysis questions about the cartoons
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Cartoons for the Classroom: The Borgman Challenge
In this current events worksheet, students analyze political cartoons by Jim Borgman. Students respond to 3 talking point questions.